The Return of the Bikers

More than 50 bikers blazed across Sheffield to pay tribute to a murdered community hero and make a donation to the food bank he founded.

A total of 54 motorbikes travelled in convoy from Chapeltown to High Green before handing a cheque to St Saviour’s Community Project in honour of Alan Greaves.

The grandfather-of-two was beaten to death on December 24, 2012, as he walked to St Saviour’s church to play the organ at the midnight service.

His two killers were jailed for nine years and for life respectively.

Alan, aged 68, had set up the St Saviour’s Community Project and food bank just weeks before his tragic murder.

His widow Maureen and an army of volunteers have worked tirelessly to make the project a success.

Bikers from The Virago Star Bikers’ Club, The Yorkshire Trikers and The Independent Bikers joined forces to ride across the city, before donating £500 to Maureen at the project to fund its Christmas work.

The project will put on a Christmas meal for those less well off using the money.

The cash was raised by bikers from the three clubs, during events held throughout the year.

One of the riders Kevin Villiers, who lived four doors down from Alan on Greengate Lane, High Green, said: “It was splendid. We had 54 bikes in total on the ride.

“We gave the project food and handed a cheque donation to Maureen. Last year we did a ride and a food bank run and we wanted to do the same again for Alan. He was a gentle giant.

“Everybody who knew him, and those who heard about what happened, wanted to so something for him.”

His wife Jen Volliers said: “There’s a lot of people who won’t realise the effect of losing him, he did so much for the community.

“He was always involved in the community, whether it was going to schools and playing the organ and setting up the community project.”

The ride may become an annual tradition, said Jen.

She added: “We did it last year as well, so it would be nice if we could do again, and it would be nice for the food bank.”

Simon Bessant, the Vicar of St Saviour’s who chairs the Community Project management committee, said “We are so very grateful for the wonderful generosity of our biker friends. We really appreciate them coming here to High Green with such generosity, and arriving in such style!”.